The NBA playoffs are nearing to a close as the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers play Game 7 on Monday night and that means free agency and the trade summer season is coming very soon and with that rumors are starting to flow, including for Grizzlies star Zach Randolph.
According to ESPN.com, Randolph could be one of the big names on the move in the offseason after a disappointing end for the Grizzlies in the playoffs and two possible landing spots are in California with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. Randolph could also be a good fit in LA with the Clippers, but that all depends on what he team is planning on doing while trying to re-sign Chris Paul. Randolph has been a dominant force on the Grizzlies over the past few seasons, but after the Spurs shut him down and with a big contract on his back, there is a chance that he could be moved.
The money likely would be the top issue, but the fact that the Spurs shut him down so badly in the playoffs is alarming to a Memphis team that is hoping to take the next step despite likely losing coach Lionel Hollins in the offseason. Randolph was totally shut down in Game 1 by the Spurs and scored just two points while grabbing seven rebounds and while he had double-doubles in the next two games, he wasn't much of a factor as San Antonio swept the team out of the playoffs in four games. Randolph finished the elimination with 14 points and 15 rebounds in Game 4 and while the Grizzlies love his style of play, his salary of over $17 million might be too much to keep with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol also on the roster and getting better.
Memphis had their best season in franchise history and after making it to the Western conference finals for the first time, a trade could end up making the team even better depending on who they bring in. Randolph was looking like one of the best interior players in the league in the playoffs before the Spurs series, but after averaging just 11 points and shooting 30 percent from the field, his value could take a hit. During the season he averaged 16.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 46 percent shooting, but he couldn't keep that up in the finals.
Memphis feels it has a good core with Gasol and Conley and while they would like to keep Randolph as well, the team may end up suffering for it and getting further in the playoffs should be the new priority after getting close this time around. The team needs more financial room to grow and the only way to do that will be to get rid of Randolph. The California teams all could be attractive moves, as the Warriors and Lakers could target the star if they can't keep Dwight Howard on the west coast, which is looking more and more likely as he puts out feelers in free agency. The Rockets are going to make a hard push and after his time in LA, there is a good chance that Howard will go, leaving the Lakers to figure out a new plan and that could include trades, such as Randolph or others.